Yellowstone City 30K

Yellowstone Gateway 30K runners will know why “Yellowstone is more Valuable than Gold”!

General Description: A trail run suitable for beginning to expert trail runners that covers just over 18 miles of trail, gravel road, USFS dirt and scree covered jeep roads, (zero pavement) and travels from Paradise Valley to the upper elevations of Emigrant Gulch under Emigrant Peak and back down to the finish at Chico Hot Springs. In general, it is a 10-mile uphill that starts out easy and increases steadily in steepness, then the course finishes with an 8 mile downhill. The run has a total ascent of 2,778 feet and a total descent of 2,449 feet.

Details: Starting near the Yellowstone River at the Sage Lodge you will run double track trails over rolling hills past Chico Cemetery, then past the historic Yellowstone City gold settlement (c. 1864-1866) where some of the first gold seekers came to Montana to find fortune. Continue to Old Chico and turn right up Emigrant Gulch to a dirt/scree jeep road that travels between steep canyon walls in the Western Beartooths, past abandoned mines, and up four short but steep sections. Your feet will get wet crossing Emigrant Creek and the East Fork of Emigrant Creek on the way up and again on the way down. After the turning around at the aid station near the St. Julian Mine (c. 1906) you will descend out of the gulch, turn right at Old Chico Road and join the Chico Hot Springs Ranch 635 trails to the finish at Chico Hot Springs. The elevation varies from 4,990 feet at the start at the Sage Lodge in Emigrant to 8,000 feet at the top aid station east of Emigrant Peak, and 5,250 feet at the finish at Chico Hot Springs in Pray Montana. 

Packet Pick-Up

Early packet pickup time and location will be announced as we get closer to race day but is usually in Livingston at the Park County Environmental Council office on the Friday before race day. Race Day: Sun (9/19) 7:30 AM-8:45 AM -- Sage Lodge Mud Room (55 Sage Lodge Drive, Pray, MT) 

Aid Stations: There are three aid stations on the 30K course. Each aid station will be stocked with water coolers (you must bring your own bottle or bladder), electrolyte drink, gels, pretzels, fruit, and gummies 

Cutoff times: Cutoff times are established for the consideration of our volunteers, but they are generous, allowing participants to average 20-minute miles, equivalent to a fast hike, and adjusted for climbing and descending pace. See aid station information below for specific cutoff times. The Aid Stations will have Tailwind Nutrition for electrolytes, water, gel packs, and other snacks. 

Aid Stations                                                                                                           

Old Chico Aid Station: 3.8 miles from the start   Emigrant Gulch Aid Station: 7.0 miles       St. Julian turnaround: 10 miles. Cutoff time *12:45 pm       Emigrant Gulch Aid Station: 13.0 miles Cutoff time *1:45 pmOld Chico Aid Station: 16.0 miles Cutoff time *2:35 pmChico Finish! 18.2 miles  

Safety: Running downhill on steep rocky slopes can be hazardous and you can roll an ankle or take a fall. Emigrant Creek is ankle to shin deep at the crossing and while the current won't wash you away, the rocks are slick underfoot and you could fall.  It could be cold and snowy or hot and dry, on race day, because this is Montana. Check point weather forecasts and plan accordingly. Point forecast for Emigrant Gulch. We picked September because it is often awesome for running. This is not a closed course and there may be off road vehicle users recreating in the Gulch. We will have warning signs up, encouraging everyone to watch for runners. Park County Search and Rescue Volunteers will be on the course with off road vehicles to assist if you become ill or injured and require assistance to evacuate.  

Our Commitment to Sustainability: Yellowstone Gateway 30K is a race that takes you through some of the most beautiful country in the greater Yellowstone area. This is our backyard. This is your public land. As Directors and racers, we choose to tread lightly and steward the landscape responsibility.

Cupless - You must bring your own cup/water bottle/hydration pack. We won't provide cups. Reducing Waste - At the post race picnic, Happy Trash Can will help us to compost and reduce our footprint. 

Course Markings: The course will be well marked with flags, cones, and paint. Race volunteers will be at critical junctions to make sure no one makes a wrong turn and ends up as an extra in a Western Film (on the Film Ranch). 

Shoes, Terrain, and Equipment: The upper part of the course is very rocky and uneven in places. Trail shoes perform better here but you can run in road shoes, but they will take a beating. If you like poles, they will help you on the steep uphill and downhill sections and water crossings but are not necessary or required. Please carefully watch your footing as you descend the course. Water depth at both crossings is often ankle to calf deep and poles might keep your feet dryer by allowing you to balance on rocks. 

Bear Spray: There will be a lot of runners and volunteers and some machines on the course which is a deterrent to bears. If you are running in the front, you may wish to carry bear spray in your pack or hand for protection in some of the upper sections that are less frequented by humans. The aid station volunteers, and SAR teams travel noisily through there in trucks and ATVs prior to the start so that will alert any animals to humans. 

Parking: Due to limited parking at the start at Sage Lodge, we encourage you to take the free and short shuttle to from Chico to Sage Lodge before the race unless you have someone who can drop you at the start. Parking for the shuttle is at the “Field of Dreams” parking lot above the Day Spa at Chico Hot Springs and you will walk down the stairs to the shuttle pick up. Signs and attendants will direct runners to the parking lot at Field of Dreams. 

Shuttle - Chico Hot Springs to Sage Lodge: The shuttle, a.k.a The Party Bus, will depart Chico “Field of Dreams” Parking area above the Day Spa at the following times: 7:10 am, 7:30 am, 7:50 am, 8:10 am, and 8:30 am. Any schedule changes will be announced in emails prior to the race.    

Drop Bag Transport: Participants are encouraged to bring a bag to drop at the start at the Sage Lodge. Your drop bags will be taken to the finish line and will be stored at the finish line prior to the first finisher's arrival. Please write your name and phone number on your drop bag. If you leave any articles of clothing with aid station volunteers, they will return to the finish but may not arrive until after 3:30 pm. 

Prizes: Everyone will receive a Yellowstone Gateway 30K hat with the Lynx logo; additionally, there will be really nice awards for top three male and female finishers and 1st male and female masters and lots of door prizes from our sponsors. 

Support and Spectating: We encourage spectators to get out on the course and cheer for family and friends on the Chico Cemetery Road, at Old Chico, and at the intersection of Conlin Road and Chico Road. Spectators are also encouraged to travel up the Gulch by foot or bike but please refrain from driving vehicles up the Gulch as you could block course monitors and Park County Search and Rescue (SAR) off road vehicles. 

Opting Out: If you pick up a packet either early or on race day but don't run, please inform a volunteer or the race director at 406-548-1249. If you drop out of the race you must inform a volunteer. This is so we don't call you at home or search for you all night! If you need assistance getting off the mountain, please request so at the aid station, or with Park County SAR. 

Post-Race: Afterward, runners can relax at Chico Hot Spring's lawn with a beer and lunch provided by Chico Hot Springs. Post-race lunch and beer is free for racers and volunteers.  Also, all finishers and volunteers get a free swim pass! With two pools of varying temperatures, we’re sure everyone in the family can find a comfortable spot to relax!

History: This area has a long and fascinating history of indigenous peoples, hard rock mining, settlements, and tourism. Historic structures occupied and abandoned are seen all along the course. In 2014 a Canadian mining company threatened Emigrant Gulch with an industrial size gold mine on public and private lands. This gold mine would have caused irreparable damage to the landscape, water quality, environment, wildlife and communities in and around the Gulch. The community came together to protect the Gateway to Yellowstone National Park and their community and engaged in a 5-year battle that ended with The Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act. This act of Congress withdrew the mineral rights on public lands in the Gulch, protecting them in perpetuity. The Yellowstone Gateway 30K is a celebration of a community’s determination, dedication, and love of place so that we may all enjoy its splendor forever. 

More information and updates will be emailed to registered participants prior to race day and also posted on the Yellowstone Gateway 30K Facebook page or contact the Race Director at [email protected].